Ann and Chuck Tomlins featured at Tulsa’s “First Thursday”

(Tulsa, OK) The October Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) showcase and exhibit of local artists will feature the works of Ann and Chuck Tomlins, opening with a reception on Thursday, October 2 from 6-9pm. The exhibit continues throughout the month.

Ann Tomlins holds a BA in Fine Arts and Literature from New Jersey State University, an MA in Sculpture from the University of Tulsa, and an Ed.D. from the University of Tulsa in Educational Leadership. She is the recipient of the Oklahoma Governor’s Art Award and a three-time recipient of the National Fulbright Scholars Program. She has exhibited her work extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia, with a favorite work of sculpture at Tulsa’s River Parks at 18th Street and Riverside.

Ann is the published author of Creative Companion and is in the process of finishing a children’s book series entitled Miss Pretty and the Bad Boys, which involves household pets solving social problems that occur in the world of their “human authorities.”

In this show, her earlier works are from a photographic series entitled On the Edge. The title is a double entendre representing a difficult time in the artist’s life as well as images taken on the water’s edge. Tulsa’s Woodward Park and its environs provide material for the interplay of reflections and depth found in water - from ponds to pools of water collecting on the sidewalk.

The second collection of her works is photographs and paintings that are entitled Stepping Back from the Edge. As issues became resolved in the artist’s life, she was able to step back and get perspective on the things in her environment. Flowers and broad open landscapes dominate this series.

Chuck Tomlins is a Visual Artist and teacher. He holds a BFA from Oklahoma State University and an MFA from Ohio State University. His graduate degree explored 96 postgraduate hours in the disciplines of sculpture, drawing, art history and metallurgical engineering. His interest in art began when he was a four year old boy, sitting on the back of his cousin while his cousin created a winter scene in chalk pastels. It was there, he said, “That’s what I want to do.”

His interests span many disciplines; but he sought immersion in the multi-disciplined area of sculpture, finding it the perfect medium to explore the connections found in working with materials of differing natures. Chuck has been successful with his commission work. He has works from California to Florida, and when requested, he continues to produce structures in a plethora of media. Presently he is finishing up two large works for the Boy Scouts of America in wood, plaster, and ferro-concrete.

The exhibit begins with a reception on Thursday, October 2 from 6-9pm At the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 2nd St., in downtown Tulsa. There will be a door prize drawn of the artists’ work; the show continues throughout the month. - http://www.okeq.org/.

The Gayly – September 30, 2014 @ 9:30am